On the roles of function and selection in evolving systems

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(43)

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

Physical laws—such as the laws of motion, gravity, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics—codify general behavior varied macroscopic natural systems across space time. We propose that an additional, hitherto-unarticulated law is required to characterize familiar phenomena our complex, evolving universe. An important feature classical physics conceptual equivalence specific characteristics shared by extensive, seemingly diverse body phenomena. Identifying potential equivalencies among disparate phenomena—for example, falling apples orbiting moons or hot objects compressed springs—has been instrumental in advancing scientific understanding world through articulation nature. A pervasive wonder evolution systems, including stars, minerals, atmospheres, life. These appear be conceptually equivalent they display three notable attributes: 1) They form from numerous components have adopt combinatorially vast numbers different configurations; 2) processes exist generate 3) configurations are preferentially selected based on function. identify universal concepts selection—static persistence, dynamic novelty generation—that underpin function drive evolve exchange information between environment system. Accordingly, we a “law increasing functional information”: The system will increase (i.e., evolve) if many undergo selection for one more functions.

Language: Английский

---

Cells as the first data scientists

Journal of The Royal Society Interface, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(199)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

The concepts that we generally associate with the field of data science are strikingly descriptive way life, in general, processes information about its environment. ‘information life cycle’, which enumerates stages treatment endeavours, also captures steps collection and handling biological systems. Similarly, ‘data–information–knowledge ecosystem’, developed to illuminate role informatics translating raw into knowledge, can be a framework for understanding how is constantly being transferred between By placing principles broader context, see activities scientists as latest development life's ongoing journey better understand predict Finally, propose frameworks used similarities differences abiotic complex evolving systems life.

Language: Английский

---

An exploration of origin of life for exoplanetary science

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: March 19, 2025

The factors that enable life to begin define the difference between an inhabited planet and one is simply habitable. While used extensively in Origins, Worlds, Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science Astrobiology 2023–2032 (abbreviated “OWL” this paper), term origin of never mentioned Pathways Discovery Astronomy Astrophysics 2020s (notated as “Astro2020” paper). chapters on search solar system OWL treat a central concept, exoplanet focused Astro2020 reports mostly do not mention science, particularly with respect how it intersects biosignature identification interpretation. To fill gap, we describe set conditions are required suggest they may be distinct from those make environment Finally, present putative list processes observable exoplanets outline relevance future planetary science astrophysics missions topic. Given complexity detecting these beyond system, argue while looking signs could fruitful determining which worthy further study, concept likely more appropriate distinguishing true biosignatures false positives. Ensuring facilities like Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) can constrain necessary detection searches system.

Language: Английский

---

The constrained disorder principle and the law of increasing functional information: The elephant versus the Moeritherium

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100040 - 100040

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

New Estimates of Nitrogen Fixation on Early Earth

Life, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(5), P. 601 - 601

Published: May 8, 2024

Fixed nitrogen species generated by the early Earth's atmosphere are thought to be critical emergence of life and sustenance metabolisms. A previous study estimated fixation in Hadean N

Language: Английский

---

Planetary Complexity Revealed by the Joint Differential Entropy of Eigencolors

The Astronomical Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 167(3), P. 114 - 114

Published: Feb. 16, 2024

Abstract We propose a measure, the joint differential entropy of eigencolors, for determining spatial complexity exoplanets using only spatially unresolved light-curve data. The measure can be used to search habitable planets, based on premise potential association between life and exoplanet complexity. present an analysis disk-integrated light curves from Earth, developed in previous studies, as proxy show that this quantity is distinct measures due its sensitivity information masked by features with large mutual wavelengths, such cloud cover. has natural upper limit appears avoid strong bias toward specific planetary features. This makes it novel generalizable method, which, when combined other methods, broaden available indicators habitability.

Language: Английский

---

Could Life Have Started on Mars? Planetary Conditions That Assemble and Destroy Protocells

Life, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 415 - 415

Published: March 20, 2024

Early Mars was likely habitable, but could life actually have started there? While cellular emerged from prebiotic chemistry through a pre-Darwinian selection process relevant to both Earth and Mars, each planet posed unique ‘hurdles’ this process. We focus on drivers of in generic Earth-like worlds specific such as an iron-rich surface. Iron, calcium, magnesium cations are abundant hydrothermal settings promising environment for origin life. investigated the impact stability disruption different primitive cell membranes under pH conditions. The relative destabilizing effect observed study is Ca2+ > Fe2+ Mg2+. Cation concentrations systems today too low disrupt membranes, been elevated enough during surface dehydration. Membranes RNA interact dehydration–rehydration cycles mutually stabilize other cation-rich solutions, optimal membrane composition can be ‘selected’ by environmental factors cation concentrations. introduce approach that considers how may evolved differently Martian planetary conditions selective pressures.

Language: Английский

---

Quantifying the Potential for Nitrate-Dependent Iron Oxidation on Early Mars: Implications for the Interpretation of Gale Crater Organics

Astrobiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(6), P. 590 - 603

Published: June 1, 2024

Geological evidence and atmospheric climate models suggest habitable conditions occurred on early Mars, including in a lake Gale crater. Instruments aboard the Curiosity rover measured organic compounds of unknown provenance sedimentary mudstones at Additionally, nitrates crater sediments, which suggests that nitrate-dependent Fe

Language: Английский

---

Emergence, Construction, or Unlikely? Navigating the Space of Questions Regarding Life's Origins

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

We survey some of the philosophical challenges and pitfalls within origins research. Several these exhibit circularities, paradoxes, or anthropic biases. present approaches in terms three broad categories: unlikely (life's origin was a chance event), construction stepwise series synthesis assembly processes), emergence (life always an amalgam many parallel processes from which living state emerged as natural outcome physical driving forces). critically examine founding possibly misleading assumptions categories. Such need not be detrimental to scientific progress long their limits are respected. conclude by attempting concisely most significant enigmas still remaining field suggest routes solve them.

Language: Английский

---

The Process We Call Earth: Relationships Between Dynamic Feedbacks and the Search for Gaiasignatures in a New Paradigm of Earthlikeness

Perspectives of Earth and Space Scientists, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract Standard notions of an “Earthlike” planet rely solely on physical and material properties, like planetary mass, radius, surface temperature. Here, we introduce a novel, relational perspective what defines “Earthlikeness.” In our process‐based framework, rocky planets are local pockets free energy that have the potential to drive emergence dynamically persistent systems coevolve with one another. Examples phenomena include magnetic dynamos, mantle convection, tectonic regimes, deep volatile cycles, global climate feedbacks, biogeochemical biosphere. When two or more processes couple another such they gain causal efficacy over another's persistence, some degree planetary‐scale homeostasis may emerge. astrobiology, Earthlike exoplanets often considered be priority targets for search life elsewhere. We suggest framework Earthlikeness has widen space inspire novel biosignatures, “Gaiasignatures,” essential detecting exoplanetary biospheres. Additionally, view can influence development agnostic biosignatures at all scales. contrast dominant scientific perspective, which tended engender materialistic worldview, ontologies contribute understanding Earth as network systems, humanity integral part nature, in universe.

Language: Английский

---